In September, Poly’s Counseling Center, directed by Luis G. Manzo, Ph.D., began its first-ever extern program. Similar programs have existed at other universities for years. Adding the program to Poly not only expands its resources but improves its credibility among other universities.
The extern program is designed so that three doctoral students spend eighteen hours a week for nine months counseling students and training with Dr. Manzo and Scott Feldman, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist and Coordinator of Clinical Training. The program’s formalized training is a secondary, but vital benefit to Dr. Manzo and Dr. Feldman. “It keeps us from going stale,” says Dr. Manzo.
As part of the Center’s commitment to providing culturally sensitive services to Poly students, the extern program is focused on enhancing cultural competence. Externs participate in a month-long multicultural lab in which they explore their own cultural backgrounds, attitudes and values. Weekly multicultural case conferences are also held between externs and senior staff.
More about the extern program.
More about the Counseling Center.